Christmas Carol Festival
Christmas Carols have the power to transport us through time and bring us back to the manger in Bethlehem. Invite your neighbors and family together and sing your way back to Bethlehem, outdoors or indoors, old and young, singers and listeners, come gather. This video suggests a way to use carols in December to bring more people back to your church or organization. Visit www.christmascarolfestival.com for more information. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=51f5033523f4e898a667
Hello Mary (Hail Mary) added on the Feast of St. Therese
Here is a spiritual invitation to get ready for the birth of Mary's son, Jesus. This video walks us through a dozen Christmas crèche scenes, and highlights Mary figurines made of porcelain, South American corn husks, papier mache, quilling, Kenyan wood, and the usual resin. The song was written by John Boucher. Photographs and video by Therese Boucher, with a few Mary statues photographed by Susan Fenner. http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/T4pI9T and at
Come Holy Spirit
Pentecost celebrates our connection to the Holy Spirit. In 2008 Pentecost falls on May 31. Here is a video opportunity to renew your connection to God's Spirit. While you watch, ask yourself if you are expecting a light drizzle or a downpour of God's love. Then let God decide which is best.
This song started as a few lines of music that Therese experienced while praying in the woods. Then John developed the melody about a year later. The words are adapted from a poem written by St. John of the Cross, in the 1500s.
Looking for Jesus at Church (for children)
Jesus can be found in many places, but my favorite place to search is at church. This video helps children search for Jesus before and during a Catholic Mass. It is written for children who don't usually go to church, but are old enough to notice what is happening. The massbook that goes with this video is at www.catholicevangelizer.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS23qlg3NHg
Available for Pentecost
Ever thought about what the Pentecost experience in the upper room was like? Make yourself available to the Holy Spirit and find out. You have time to get ready for something new from God. http://www.vimeo.com/clip:168216
He Just Brushed By
Relive the Bible story about the woman who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus' clothing. Imagine her struggle, and ours, as she reaches out in desperation with only the slightest hope. Music by John J. Boucher. Video by Therese. Story from Luke 8:43-48 http://www.vimeo.com/176641
Take a Spiritual U-Turn
Ever change your mind about really important questions? Take a look at some of the ways we all ask ourselves about the things that really matter in life. Then see if you are ready to change your mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l24WCZXK8GQ
Sing Christmas Carols Together
What do you want for Christmas? If you are twenty-two, maybe you want electronics. If you are eighty-two maybe something that smells good. I want to sing Christmas carols for the whole month of December. I want to gather dozens and hundreds of people to sing carols just before Christmas. Carols transport us through time and bring us back to the manger in Bethlehem. Christmas carols give us new souls for Christmas. So take some time to plan a Christmas Carol Festival. Outdoors or indoors. Old and young. Singers and shepherds, angels and families, people in malls and people who are alone, come gather. For suggestions about singing your way through December visit www.christmascarolfestival.co m http://www.vimeo.com/845627
Sharing the Bread of Life
Did you know that the number of unchurched people in the United States has hit an all time high? Here are some steps that you can take to share your faith and to share Jesus who is the Bread of Life.
A Shot Glass and a Quarter
What would you do with a shot glass and a quarter? Here's a story about one woman's answer. What Lillie did with both of them is part of the secret that helped her live to be one hundred. There are two more written stories about Lillie at www.featurethat.com/lillianh.html. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_IID64kZQ4
A Shepherd Asks, "Am I in the Bible?" (for children)
Abdul is very interested in Bible stories about shepherds but every tale he hears is either about a friend who owns sheep, or about distant relatives, like his mother's people in Bethlehem. He wonders if there really could be a Bible story about him. This video involves a human and and a puppet in search of a way to connect with the people and events in the Bible. The script is available at www.christkey.com (also on tangle.com) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSI2_sfgB_U
Gronk Meets Jesus (for children)
Jesus who? Ever wonder what Jesus has to do with our technological world? Step back and get a glimpse of Jesus from a totally fresh point of view. Take a second look and re-imagine who he is for the kid inside all of us. Then find out more about your names for Jesus at www.christkey.com/ChristWORD.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6nkz7-fJu0
The Easter Secret: a Mini-play (for children)
Take a look at Easter with a caterpillar puppet named Lester, who sets off in search of the Easter secret. With the help of a little girl and a long nap in his cocoon Lester finds the answer. For information about a longer version of this play, visit www.christkey.com.
Last Trip Home
That last trip home after mom and dad are gone is the subject of this video. Made in memory of Harry and Claire Fenner with the help of their granddaughter, Rachel, who contributed new photos and video clips, and their son-in-law, John who wrote the song, "I Will Never Forget You My Child".
Harry and Claire lived their lives for God. They prayed about getting married before he left for the South Pacific in WWII. They served God as members of the choir and leaders in the charismatic renewal. When Claire died in her mid fifties, Harry became a deacon. When he died, we knew he had gone home to Jesus and had experienced a truly spiritual reunion with Claire. http://www.vimeo.com/clip:168934
Have a Cemetery Adventure
Explore dozens of gravestones with Therese, as she points out some of the things you can learn in a cemetery, like family information and inspiring artwork. Learn about searching for family monuments, neighbors from bygone centuries and a research tool called www.findagrave.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WszE7m9OS3A&feature=channel_page
Reaching Inactive Catholics
There are at least three different kinds of inactive Catholics --marginal, alienated and unchurched. And there are also at least six approaches to reaching these people -- hurt-healing approach, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Catholic information, proclamation, invitation and a convergence model. John Boucher explores all of these and ways to use the most appropriate approach, based on an awareness of the issues each kind of inactive Catholic brings with them when they have contact with the Church.
Scared for Halloween?
How scary is Halloween for you? for your children? for your friends? Here is what scares me and what erases my Halloween fears, as well. http://www.vimeo.com/7153029
